Rutledge (PA) mayor Scott Shields dies in skydiving accident

[Viva_La_Revolution]

Source: Delco Times

Rutledge Mayor C. Scott Shields died in a skydiving accident Friday afternoon in Gloucester County, N.J.

“We are starting to think he may have had a heart attack or some other type of medical condition that prevented him from pulling (his rip cord),” said Mark Kruse, an instructor at Free Fall Adventures in Cross Keys, N.J. “Normally you pull your main parachute at around 3-4,000 feet when you are still about 30 seconds from impact but he didn’t pull the main or the backup chute.”

Kruse said an automatic activation device eventually deployed Shields’ reserve chute.

“The automatic opener fires at about 750 feet — it’s your last chance,” he said. “His deployed but it didn’t open all the way, which can happen if you are tumbling.”


Read more: http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2011/03/25/news/doc4d8d320415997663735818.txt

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. He was 45 years old...Way too young.

My condolences to everyone who loved him.

[Duer 157099]

2. Free Fall Adventures? I hope they change their name. RIP Mayor Scott n/t

[Liberal_in_LA]

3. rip

[Terry in Austin]

4. I'm what the skydivers used to call a "whuffo"

As in, "Whuffo you want to jump outta that plane, anyhow?"

RIP to His Honor, and all, but...

No shortage of irony in a manner of death that you go to so much trouble and expense to obtain. I used to think about that when I was a student pilot. Then I ran out of money. Best thing, I'm alive to tell about it.